Environmental Health Specialist III

Hays County, TX - San Marcos, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

San Marcos, TX

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

Under limited supervision, performs a variety of public health regulation and prevention activities protecting the public health in Hays County related to on-site sewage facilities, food services, junkyards, subdivision regulations, permitted land developments, and construction sites, and flood damage prevention. Performs a variety of public health and environmental inspections to ensure compliance with environmental/engineering regulations within Hays County. The Environmental Health Specialist III is a Program Management position.

Responsibilities

• Conducts site evaluations/inspections of property to assure that development complies with federal, state, and local regulations regarding on-site sewage systems, subdivisions, food sanitation, and junkyards.
• Conducts field inspections and interacts with citizens, property and business owners, and contractors to resolve questions and/or problems.
• Is assigned special projects or tasks that requires expertise of rules and procedures. Assists Development Services Director in developing procedures, protocols, and regulations that result in more effective operation of the department.
• Plans and conducts surveillance and control activities for vector borne disease.
• Reviews planning material for all on-site sewage facilities. Communicates with designers regarding deficiencies in planning materials.
• Reviews planning materials for all retail food establishments, mobile food establishments, temporary food establishments.
• Reviews planning materials for all commercial swimming pools.
• Conducts site evaluations for proposed on-site sewage systems and other construction activities to verify existing and/or establish new construction and design requirements.
• Consults with property owners, contractors, and engineers to assist them with plan development.
• Monitors and samples surface water, ground water, soil, and in some cases foods, for possible bacterial or other environmental pollutant contamination i.e., sediment, hydrocarbons, nutrients.
• Investigates nuisance complaints and takes appropriate actions to attain compliance.
• Issues directives and initiates enforcement actions for non-compliance with public health and environmental regulations.
• Conducts pre-opening inspections, routine inspections, and complaint investigations on all food establishments as applicable.
• Resolve differences between EHS staff and the regulated community when there is disagreement.
• Provides appropriate orientation and study materials; oversees and implements action plans for training staff; trains Environmental Health Specialist in all job duties including those related to on-site-sewage facilities, food establishments, vector control and surveillance, floodplain, and departmental procedures.
• Assist EHS staff in the interpretation and implementation of the rules, regulations, and policies enforced by the department.
• Performs other duties as assigned that will assist in the successful completion of Department objectives and goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, with at least 30 hours of basic or applied science, in environmental health or related field, and at least five years' experience in environmental health or related field, or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Nice-to-haves

• At least two years' experience with environmental compliance inspections preferred.